92 HISTORY OF 



dentally black, since the climate is a cause obvi- 

 ous and sufficient to produce the effect. 



In fact, if we examine the complexions of diffe- 

 rent countries, we shall find them darken in pro- 

 portion to the heat of their climate, and the 

 shades gradually to deepen as they approach the 

 Line. Some nations, indeed, may be found not so 

 much tinged by the sun as others, although they 

 lie nearer the Line : But this ever proceeds from 

 some accidental causes ; either from the country 

 lying higher, and consequently being colder, or 

 from the natives bathing oftener, and leading a 

 more civilized life. In general it may be assert- 

 ed, that, as we approach the Line, we find the in- 

 habitants of each country grow browner, until 

 the colour deepens into perfect blackness. Thus, 

 taking our standard from the whitest race of peo- 

 ple, and beginning with our own country, which, 

 I believe, bids fairest for the pre-eminence, we 

 shall find the French, who are more southern, a 

 slight shade deeper than we ; going farther down, 

 the Spaniards are browner than the French ; the 

 inhabitants of Fez darker than they ; and the na- 

 tives of Negroland the darkest of all. In what 

 manner the sun produces this effect, and how the 

 same luminary which whitens wax and linen, 

 should darken the human complexion, is not easy 

 to conceive. Sir Thomas Brown first supposed 

 that a mucous substance, which had something of 

 a vitriolic quality, settled under the reticular mem- 

 brane, and grew darker with heat. Others have 

 supposed that the blackness lay in the epidermis, 

 or scarf skin, which was burnt up like leather. 



